Students in the United States can typically check their AP Exam scores starting in early May. The College Board, the organization responsible for administering the AP Exams, has historically released scores online around the first week of May. This timeline has been consistent over the years, providing students with a predictable timeframe to expect their results. The release date is an important factor for students who are planning their college applications and seeking advanced placement or credit in their college coursework.

The reason for this release date is rooted in the logistics of scoring the exams. The AP Exams are scored by high school teachers and college faculty who are trained to evaluate the responses. The College Board then processes and tabulates the scores, which is a time-consuming process. According to the College Board's official website, the scoring process involves reading and scoring over 3.7 million exams. This extensive task requires several weeks to complete, leading to the early May release date. Additionally, the College Board aims to provide students with their scores as soon as possible to help them make informed decisions about their academic and college plans.